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Tarka Trail
Tarka Trail – Braunton to Meeth
Over 30 miles of the Tarka Trail is available to cyclists between Braunton and Meeth, using the old railways of North Devon. Passing through the largely unspoilt countryside as it was described by Henry Williamson in his classic novel ‘Tarka the Otter’ first published in 1927.
This off road cycle link (Excluding the Meeth link) forms part of Devon’s Cycling Coast to Coast Route between Ilfracombe and Plymouth. The length from Barnstaple to Petrockstowe also forms part of the West Country Way Cycle Route between Bristol and Padstow.
The Braunton-Meeth section of the Tarka Trail is accessible from the north Devon Link Road (A39T), also the B3233 and A386 between Bideford and Hatherleigh. There is also a rail link from Exeter to Barnstaple (the Tarka Line) and a ferry link from Appledore to Instow.
New Barnstaple road bridge
Those using the Tarka Cycle Trail (Devon Coast to Coast NCN27) route now have a choice of routes through Barnstaple. Those wishing to visit the town follow the signs to the town centre from either the Bideford or Braunton directions.Alternatively those wishing to avoid Barnstaple altogether can cross the bridge. The new bridge has a two way cycle lane (shared with pedestrians) on the north –seaward- side. Apart from the bridge crossing itself the main change to the Tarka Cycle Trail is a new access to Barnstaple rail station .
Face-lift for Trail
We have now completed work on installing new information boards and interpretation on the Trail. These include 21 points along the trail where you can find out about the history and wildlife of the Trail and the places it passes through.
New Audio Trail
There is now an Audio Trail which can be dowloaded onto your PC, phone or MP3 Player. Each audio clip is linked to a place on the Trail with a numbered post and inludes information from a variety of peopel involved in managing the Trail and its heritage.
Find out more
Contact Us
Northern Devon Coast & Countryside Service.
Bideford Station
Railway Terrace
East-the-Water
Bideford
EX39 4BB
(01237) 423655
(01237) 423613
